In Psalm 119, we're gonna be looking at the section, the second section, which will be verses nine through 16. Let me get there. Psalm 119, starting with verse nine. I'd like to read that section. Beth, that's the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet that starts this section. It says, wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy word? With my whole heart have I sought thee, O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes. I will not forget thy word.

And this section, I'd like to title this or to refer to this today as Beth dash hidden treasure, hidden treasure, and we'll see what that has to say to us today. Three points that I'd like to look at from this today, and not exhaustively, of course, of all the thoughts that may be in here, but three thoughts from three different parts of it. The one being the first, wherewithal shall a young man or old, cleanse his way, and then by taking heed thereto according to thy word, and the third thought, thy word have I hid in my heart."

And once again, as we look through the sections of Psalm 119, we'll be hitting Some of the thoughts that are there, and like I say, not an exhaustive study, but I would encourage you to read through Psalm 119 occasionally because it covers a lot of territory, it covers a lot of ground. And the commentators said it was probably written when David was a youngish man, and it has to deal, as it starts out here, with young men. The address may be there, but it deals with all of God's people of any age and any sex, not just young men.

But wherewithal, it says, a young man shall cleanse his way. This would deal with any of God's people, any of people. We have here the heart of the believer's concern for his or her conduct of their life. And it has, first of all, the desires of the new birth and the new direction that it takes. The only way that we can have regard for God's word as we have it, and we can hold it here, and that is any meaningful to God's people is by the Spirit that gives us the new birth. If the new birth hasn't occurred, there are words on a page, and they may be good words on a page. There are a lot of people that quote and know the Scripture, but don't know the Savior of the Scripture, have not had the new birth, and so it's from an academic perspective. standpoint and not necessarily from a heart standpoint, a change of heart.

It says here that in verse, let me get back here. Where shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereunto to God's word or to thy word. And as we saw in the introduction to the Psalm 119, there are about 10 different words that refer to God's word and the scripture that we have, that God has delivered to us. by taking all of that into account. And it says, by taking heed thereunto. And not just by, taking heed unto has the connotation of pondering or meditating on what God's word has to say. And prayerfully approaching God's word and not just reading it. I was mentioning to Norman this morning, and we've said this before, that We've read the scriptures, but sometimes we don't slow down enough to meditate or to ponder to see what it really said there. And I think that that is something that we're that we're encouraged to do and should be encouraged to do is not only to be in God's word, but to slow down through parts of it.

And we've even mentioned before about some of the books like Leviticus that were flyover books. You might have read them, to say that you've read them, but we never slowed down much through there. And we were shocked and amazed at what we found when Norman brought out those things in Leviticus that it speaks to us today. It's not just a ceremonial law and books of how that they were to live and do their religious services. There's much more in there than that. And it was another one of the books we found out that is the gospel according to Leviticus that Moses was given.

And it's the same with all of the scripture that we have, that we have and we can hold, that here, and a lot of these things are things that we compare what we realize and what we are shown and what we feel like according to, in comparison to what the words say here. And these first, couple of verses here, it says that, with the whole heart that I sought thee, let me not wander from thy commandments.

And it's not wandering from the Ten Commandments or any statutes or legal points like that, but that we don't wander from what is taught in the scripture, what the scripture's speaking of and who it's speaking of, not just that I've, there are those that, and Paul mentioned this more than one time, but said that he, talking to Pharisees, and you think you've kept the law, he said, you haven't kept it better than I have, and he said, That keeping of that law was nothing, it was dung, it was worthless as far as any value, any lasting value spiritually speaking.

And until the Lord met with him and Paul was delivered from who he was and gave him a new heart and gave him a new name. that he understood some things. In verses nine through 12, it speaks about cleansing the way and being in the word as a whole. In verses nine and 10, by taking heed thereto, we see, turn to Matthew chapter four, if you would, please, and Matthew chapter four, we're gonna look at a couple of places that deal with taking heed thereto, taking heed or spending time in God's word.

Matthew 4, four says, this is the Lord speaking, This is when it said, let up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. In verse two, when he had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, he was afterward and hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the son of God, command that these stones be made bread. And he answered and said, it is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. as that speaks to what we're looking at today, that all of God's word is what we must take heed to. And there are those, and we may have been in that individually or in that frame of mind in religion of taking parts of what God's word had to say. and placing special store by that. And here it speaks about, it says, by every word that preceded out of the mouth of God. So all of the scriptures that we have should have equal weight as far as who it came from. And none of the, we've said this before in studies, that none of the scriptures that we hold is filler material. didn't always feel that way because I thought there was a lot of bigots and things that were filler material. But that was my... shortcoming and short-sightedness, not the scripture short-sighted. And as he says here, by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God, that as believers, that's all of the scripture that we have, and we hold in our hands is his word to us, and that has to be taken heed of.

In the book of John, in the book of John chapter six, and we're gonna be in several places in John chapter six that speak to this here, and especially the Lord himself being that. Starting with verse 53, John 6, 53, it says, then Jesus said unto them, how can this man give us his, pardon me, Jesus said unto them, verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life, and I will raise him at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me, and I in him.

And speaking of what the word speaks about him to us, and we're gonna skip down to verse 61, And they heard this of him, and there's a murmuring, because it said, this doesn't make sense to us. And verse 61 says, when Jesus in himself knew that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, does this offend you? What and if you shall see the son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not.

And what he was speaking of as he says here, the words The spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak to you, verse 63, they are spirit and they are life. It says here in another passage that in the past he's spoken to us through the prophets. And it says now, the Lord himself speaks and hear ye him. And he was the one that gave all of the scriptures all the time, the Lord himself. And here he said, those are spirit and they are life, the words that he speak. And when he spoke up above there, a partaking of his blood and flesh, that is the true life and spiritual being that only he can give and it's in him. And his word is life to his people.

And then down in the same chapter, verses 68 and 69 say, when they went back no more and walked no more, a bunch of them, verse 67 says, Jesus said unto the 12, will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, I will go away. To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life, and we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. And Peter said here, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And indeed, that is the point there that's being referenced to in Psalm 119, wherewithal shall a young man or God's people cleanse their way or be sure of the path, as we'll look later, And that's by all of Scripture and through Scripture, that being in Scripture.

And as it says here, and as Peter said, and Peter several times speaks for the church and says things that God's people say amen to. And here it says, to whom shall we go but him, because he has got the words of eternal life. And that's the point of Some of the thought here in Psalm 119. To the book of Romans, turn to the book of Romans. In chapter 10, in the book of Romans, keeping in mind what we saw in verses nine and 10, and here, taking heed unto the thy word is how it says a young man shall cleanse his way. Romans chapter 10. A couple, just a couple verses here. Verse 8, but what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart, that is the word of faith which we preach.

And as it says here, nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart, that is the word of faith which we preach. And that whole, thought there that the word of faith, the gospel, and that gospel is up above here, it says in verse four, Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. And that is the end of the law as far as righteousness goes, and he is the example, and he is by his word that we see the path where we are to go, what we are like.

The first time I heard the thought Brother Lorne used in a lesson years ago, that God's word is a heart check to God's people. that when it says and shows us the way that we should be like or not be like, or the different things that we are admonished to benefit from God's word, that's a check on ourselves and not just a teaching, but a check on those things.

And then verse 17 down here, in verse 16 and 17, it says, but they have not all obeyed the gospel, for Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. And I think how, as it says here, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. And I think that that's a key word, a key thought here in this verse here that the Spirit uses his word that is preached.

The gospel that's preached, that's what the Spirit uses to reveal to his people himself. That's where the conduit or the way the new birth comes is through the preaching of the word and by the spirit using that word. And faith, not only faith cometh by hearing as far as in salvation and in the new birth, but ongoing from that. God uses his word and his people by his spirit to keep us aligned with what the scriptures say and those heart checks that are there.

In 1 Corinthians, just turn the corner just a little bit here, to 1 Corinthians, the second chapter. In the second chapter here, Starting with verse 9 and reading down a bit in 1 Corinthians chapter 2, it says, but as it is written, I hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit, for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of a man which is in him? Even so, the things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him. Neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. And here speaking that by God's word, the Spirit reveals, it said, hath revealed unto us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. And those that we are admonished to be and encouraged to be in the Word, but the Spirit has to make that Word the living Word to us. We have the position where we are told to be in God's word and be in God's word. And for several things, we're gonna see what the scriptures says it's useful for to God's people. But that is his word to us. And if we don't, and haven't been in his word, It's no value just having it in here.

I meant to read this a little later, but I want to read it now. There's a thought that I copied. out of a commentary by a man named Adam Clark that speaks to the word and being in it. It says, speaking of believers, it said, he must treasure up those portions of God's word in his mind and heart which speak against uncleanliness of every kind and that recommend purity, chastity, and holiness. The word of Christ should dwell richly in him. If God's word be only in his Bible and not also in his heart, he may soon and easily be surprised into his besetting sin.

And what he's saying here is the book on the shelf doesn't do much good. It's nice to have that. And it's there, but it says, but it says that if God's word only in his Bible and not in his heart, and it says here, as we saw, that by taking heed unto that word, and that, I've got one more spot, and then we're gonna move on to thy word have I hid in my heart, that point.

But in 1 Thessalonians, in 1 Thessalonians, It says, chapter two, verse 13, it says, for this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. And it said here, you received it not as the word of men, wasn't just somebody standing up and saying things, but from as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectively worketh also in you that believe.

And speaking here of the continual work that God does in his people, it's not the new birth comes one day and then there you are, you're done. The Spirit works in his people and matures his people and reveals himself. We take heed to God's word which reveals how sinners are cleansed from sin. by the blood of Christ, justified by Christ's righteousness, and cleansed by his word. His word shows us those things, how we stand in him. This is done by the spirit of God, it says here, by the word of God, and sanctification wrought in the heart. not sanctification speaking of how we do things, but of in our heart that the sanctification and that will have its outworking.

And one more thing that I don't usually read too much from other people's comments, but sometimes they word them how I'd like to word them. And John Gill speaks of this and he says, Speaking of the believer, it says, he will find the word of God to be profitable, to inform in the doctrines of justification and pardon, to acquaint him with the nature of regeneration and sanctification, and for the correction and amendment of his life and manners, and for his instruction in every branch of righteousness. He said that it's valuable to God's people for this, that not only it teaches us and informs us of those things.

And then with that in mind, turn to 2 Timothy, a verse we know and have heard and that we've used, but here in this spot it bears directly. Second Timothy 3.16 says, all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. A couple of things from that in verse 16, it says, all scripture is given by inspiration of God. That's the first thing that we have to have in common when we're dealing with any of the scripture, that it's given of God. If it's not given of God and agreed on that that's our instructions that we go by, the word that we go by, we haven't got anything in common. We have to have that in common. That is, that it is given by inspiration of God, and it is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, for instruction in righteousness. And there's a colon there that said, it's good for that, and then the purpose, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. And this comes through the scripture and by his working in us. So that is the part and parcel of the scripture and the purpose of it and the intent of it. It is for the instruction to God's people.

And then it turned to the book of John. First chapter of the book of John. Right at the beginning we're gonna, there's a, There's a portion in here that... First, several verses of John chapter one, verse one, it says, in the beginning was the word. The word was with God and the word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. And this is speaking of the Lord himself being the word and the light that is given. And it says here, In the beginning was the word, he was in the beginning. He was with God and he was God, and he is God. And that is the point of scripture to his people is who it's from and who it's about. It's from him and it's his word to us of him.

Verses 11 and 12 in Psalm 119. Let me turn back there. Psalm 119. Verses 11 and 12 say, thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thy statutes. And it is pretty evident what it's saying right off where it says, thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee. And his word in God's people's heart, not only in their minds and in their memories and academically knowing that it's a good thing, The only way that it is hid in our heart is God puts the heart in us to desire it, to start with. Otherwise, it's just facts that are on a page.

There was a time I knew a man that had a good share of the scriptures memorized. I mean, memorized, and I was amazed that anyone could know that many verses and have them memorized, but he didn't know who he was talking about at the time. And so it was not much value to him as far as what it said, but other than the fact that he knew it. And that's never a bad thing, but when the Lord revealed himself to him, then he knew what he had. He knew what he had memorized and what good it had done.

In along this same, Same thought, turn to Psalm 37 while we're in the Psalms. We're gonna look at a couple of places here, Psalm 37. Oops, let me get back to Psalm 37. In Psalm 37, I'm just gonna pick one verse out of it here. A couple of verses, 30 and 31. It says, the mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide. In this speaking about, a couple of things it's speaking about. The mouth of the righteous speak, referring to God's people that are in him have been covered, but speaking obviously of the one that is righteous, who gave the word, the Lord himself.

The righteous speaketh wisdom and talk of judgment, and we're gonna see that as we go on through all of the time that God gives us to be in the word. that of his mouth it's wisdom and judgment to his people. But that speaks also of having the word and knowing the word, being in the word of the value it is to God's people, that it's profitable and that it's a desire to know and to have in that.

And in Psalm 19, In Psalm 19, speaking about the thoughts, commands, and direction from the Lord, it says, verse 11, moreover, by them is thy servant warned, and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then shall I be upright and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer."

And again, of being, in his word and what value that is to God's people and the way that we know, and it says, keep me from secret faults, from things we don't recognize and realize that by his word he reveals things to us.

And then, before we close for today, turn to the book of Proverbs. The Proverbs has much to say about the word of God to God's people, both the scripture as we have it and speaking of the word with a capital W of the Lord himself that is spoken of and personified in the Proverbs here.

But Proverbs 2, In the first verse of Proverbs 2 says, My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee, so that thou incline thine heart, thy ear to wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding, yea, if thou cryest after knowledge, and lifteth up thy voice for understanding, if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as treasure, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

And that comes from, as it says, from His Word, seeking and being in God's Word, seeing what it has to say to us, but He reveals by that.

And then in Proverbs chapter three, the book of Proverbs is is quite a book that speaks to God's people about God's Word and Himself. But in Proverbs chapter 3, starting the first verse, it says, My son, forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments. For length of days, long life and peace shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee, bind them about thy neck, write them upon the table of thine heart. So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

And one more spot in Proverbs chapter four. Proverbs chapter four. The first two verses say, Hear ye, children, the instruction of a father, and attend to no understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. And here, it may be speaking, and fathers may have used this verse to say, listen to what I have to say because I'm I'm your father, but here speaking of God's, the Father, his children hearing what he has to say and not, it says, good doctrine, forget ye not my law. All of the teachings that we have, that the scripture has and gives to us is God's word to us and those are, Those are, as it says and goes on through in Proverbs, personifies wisdom as a person, and indeed, rightly so, because that person is the Lord himself who it's speaking about, and who is his, the true wisdom.

The word we have hid in our hearts is it comes to us by the Spirit. In those times, we need the assurance of in whom we live and move and have our being. It comes to us.

And then in closing, one more verse, and it happens to be in Psalm 119. And you're very familiar with this, Psalm 119. Verse 105, and it starts out the section none, N-U-N, and it says, thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I have sworn and will perform it and I will keep thy righteous judgments.

But the first part of that, the word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. And then, we're not gonna go there, but I'll read. say this one thought about it, in the book of 1 John says, in him is light, he is light. If we say we walk in the light and we don't walk as the light shows us, something's the matter there. That's the problem. It's don't say, yes, we are children of light and then ignore what the scripture has to say.

And I think that's pretty good. pretty good advice, and then knowing that what we are like, we're aware of our sinful nature, only aware of that because of the new birth, and we know that what we are like, we know what our frame is like, we know that we are sinful people, that we do sin, and in Romans chapter seven and eight, Paul talks about that, and he talks about what we are capable of and what we that we are sinful people that we that we do those things we we don't want to do and we don't do those things we want to do and he says who who what's the answer what's who saves us from the body of this death and he says i thank jesus christ our lord that he has taken care of that and that in him we have we live and move and have our being as it said so with that we're going to

We're going to close for today with that section 9 through 16. Read the rest of that. It speaks about if we have that in our hearts and that's a desire to us, what that will do. And meditating in his word is good for us.

And with that, I would thank you for your attention today. Like Baker says from time to time, be free.